Conscience is an instrument of the soul. It detects both the distinctions between true and false, as well as ethically right and wrong. Conscience is the friend and guide of those who aspire to moral integrity. It is a reliable life coach, yet paradoxically mostly unheeded, and relegated to the back burner. Where do we stand and what are the steps to bring our inner ear closer to the voice of conscience and further from the voices of social norms? Speaker: Denise Lawrence Denise Lawrence has been a practitioner of Raja Yoga with the Brahma Kumarissince 1974. She is essentially a philosopher, spiritual teacher, author, podcaster and international speaker. She specialises in bridging the gap between ancient Hindu scriptures, mythology and rituals and the current expression of The Bhagavad Gita’s philosophy of spiritual knowledge and practice of Raja Yoga as defined at the Brahma Kumaris World Spiritual University. She currently lives in Southern France.

Just as musicians need to keep their instruments finely tuned in order to produce beautiful music and be in harmony with other players, so too we can learn the art of tuning into our inner selves whilst tuning out from external influences and distractions. Join our speaker this evening, Gil Fernandes, to explore: What is the purpose and practice of tuning in and tuning out? Why do we get out of tune with ourselves and others? What part does intuition play? Gil was born and grew up in Lisbon. After studying music in Austria, he transitioned to a successful IT career, contributing his skills to diverse industries, including airspace and telecom. In 2007 London beckoned, leading him into a consulting software development venture founded by a fellow meditator. Gil's journey with the Brahma Kumaris began in 1993, complementing his lifelong fascination with different types of yoga practices. Gil offers talks and courses in Raja Yoga meditation.as a member of the Spanish and Portuguese group.

Letting Go of Guilt: Finding Forgiveness | Luciana Ferraz While guilt can be a natural emotion, unchecked it can drain our time, energy, and peace of mind. In this talk, discover the root causes of guilt and how it can keep us trapped in a negative cycle. Explore tools and strategies to release the past and embark on the journey of forgiving, letting go and moving on. Speaker: Luciana Ferraz Luciana Ferraz is the national coordinator for the Brahma Kumaris in Brazil. Luciana has a background in sociology and her special interest in social issues and the environment has led her to explore the connection between mind and matter and how our care towards nature is based on a relationship of love, respect and reverence for all forms of life. Luciana has travelled to many different countries such as India, the USA, Europe and Angola where she has given lectures and seminars on several topics such as Human Values in Life, Integral Health, Positive Consciousness and Meditation.

Using our values to make a difference in the workplace Celebrating World Values Day When we are happy, we feel energised and motivated to give and be our best. How can we create a workplace culture where work becomes a pleasure rather than a drudge and we put an end to the 'Monday morning blues'? Speakers: Rekha Kohli is Executive Leader within Perry Hall Multi-Academy Trust of 10 schools which serve some of the most deprived areas of the West Midlands. She is a very dynamic and positive person who has helped to create a culture of respect and happiness in the schools for which she is responsible. In July 2024 she was awarded the Pearson’s Bronze National Head Teacher of the Year award reflecting her journey and achievements within the Education Sector. Danny Maher arrived in London in 1975 and since then has worked in the mental health/social care arena. Danny is currently the CEO of Ashford Place charity in Cricklewood having started in 1996. He is also a member of the Brent Multifaith Forum. Danny is a very caring and committed person who is able to bring out the best in others and create an environment in which workers, volunteers and service users feel respected, appreciated and happy. The conversation is facilitated by Charles Fowler FRSA, member of the Steering Group of the UK Values Alliance and Chair of Human Values Foundation

The work of rehearsals is looking for meaning and then making it meaningful Peter Brook, Theatre Director. Does it ever feel as though life is a complex play and you're the lead actor without a script? Spirituality offers a unique approach: it's your personal director, guiding you through the rehearsal of life. Just as actors collaborate and refine their performances in rehearsals, practising spirituality can unveil ways to deal with a challenging life gracefully. By recognising your inner wisdom and seeking inspiration from higher sources, you'll discover a fantastic toolkit to help shape a life filled with meaning, peace, and beautiful connections. Speaker: Minal Patel Minal Patel is a blend of artist and meditator. Grounded in the teachings of Raja Yoga meditation since childhood, Minal’s life has been an interplay of meditation practice and spiritual education. This has successfully equipped him so that he can navigate life’s challenges, an emotionally demanding career and find genuine fulfilment. Professionally, he works as an actor and a singer, performing on screen and at theatres across the country. Beyond his career, Minal shares his own experience of the transformative power of Raja Yoga through talks, workshops and retreats, offering practical tools for wellness and inner freedom.

"Freedom is not a gift from anyone; it is a birthright of every human being." Mahatma Gandhi Marking the anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth The human spirit always seems to be searching for freedom. This enduring quest has shaped civilizations, sparked revolutions and inspired countless individuals to challenge tyranny and oppression, often at the risk of imprisonment or loss of life. Our speaker will explore this important topic including the following questions: • What is true freedom and how can it be achieved? • What is the relationship between inner freedom and external freedom? • What are the obstacles or challenges to inner freedom and how can they be overcome? • What is the relationship between freedom and happiness? Speaker: Dipty Naran For the past 40 years, Dipty Naran has been a student and senior teacher at the Brahma Kumaris in Johannesburg, South Africa. She is a dedicated educator with a deeply caring nature who has worked with a variety of groups within the community including vulnerable and young people. Her ability to make the teachings of the Brahma Kumaris practical and accessible has enabled countless people to positively integrate spirituality into their daily lives.

On the battlefield, a soldier will assess each situation for its potential danger and find ways to protect the self and others. As souls, we have lived through many experiences and fought many battles ~ of injustice, personal boundaries, threatened honour. This has made us hyper-vigilant to attacks on our way of being. As we embark on a spiritual path, in a sense we have to retire from this soldier-like attitude. But it takes time to give up the battle. We begin to look at the world in a different way, seeing situations with compassion and understanding. We recognise the futility of fighting and begin to create a different future, a future of peace, built on thousands of peaceful thoughts and footsteps. Speaker: Valériane Bernard Valériane was born in France and from a young age she foresaw that only genuine personal engagement between people could create a lasting quality of life within the human family. This insight led her to an active spiritual life from the age of 25, committing to peace through meditation and creating tools of awareness to advance the condition of women, promote respectful relationships with our environment, resolve workplace disharmony and, through interfaith gatherings within the community, broaden cultural understanding. Valériane has lived in six different countries, including Chile and Costa Rica and is fluent in four languages. Currently residing in France, she continues to build bridges of understanding between cultures as the Brahma Kumaris’ representative of the United Nations in Geneva.

We may have heard that everything we need lies within and there is only the now, but, as the saying goes, ‘Procrastination is the thief of time’ and is a deeply rooted habit. So what are the roots of procrastination, and what is it telling us? Most, if not all of us, will recognise procrastination as an occasional or frequent life companion so do join our speaker, Mark Fleming, in his investigation into this topic. Mark has been a student and teacher of meditation for over 30 years. He is currently based at the Brahma Kumaris Global Retreat Centre near Oxford but prior to that he was part of the team at the Lighthouse Retreat Centre in Worthing. Mark has a keen interest in understanding the effect our consciousness has on both our personal future as well as the future of the world. He shares these discoveries with lightness and depth.

Often regarded simply as a desire to know or learn, curiosity is a powerful force that drives creativity, innovation and discovery. It propels us beyond the boundaries of the known, allowing us to reimagine our world. Watch a young child and you will see a natural inclination to explore, ask questions and seek out new experiences. Speaker: Judy Johnson Judy Johnson, who shares from a very varied and rich experience, will look at: The relationship between curiosity and creativity Practical tools for cultivating curiosity in our approach to living For 35 years Judy has worked as a facilitator and coaching consultant in experiential learning, leadership development and organisational effectiveness. She is known for her insight and her ability to go into the depth of a subject in a fun and interesting way.. Judy is an author and co-founder of ‘Peace Halifax’ a festival for peace in the city of Halifax, Canada. Her books include a young adult novel which she wrote with her two daughters, “The Seven Secrets of the Universe" (2014) and co-author “A-Z Spiritual Literacy" (2016), "Living as Art" (2018) and "Return to Source: The God Experience” (2020). Judy coordinates the activities of the Brahma Kumaris in Atlantic, Canada.

A fascinating event with Shri Krishna’s divinity and wisdom. Through devotional songs of pure innocence, dances of harmony and insightful conversations, Shri Krishna’s story allows us to journey from hope to happiness. A conversation between Sister Indu and Shrinidhi. Sister Indu - Coordinator for Brahma Kumaris, Leicester BK Shrinidhi - Radio Jockey & Television Presenter With dance performances by Mira Salat - Director of Maati House

Do you ever feel a longing within yourself, a sense of something missing? This feeling can create a profound sense of emptiness and dissatisfaction. It is one we frequently try to mask with temporary, external things, such as a new phone or an exotic holiday abroad. But although we may feel soothed for a while, that void will keep re-opening until we decide to look inside to find a deeper cause. Join us for this insightful talk to explore: • How to identify the roots of emptiness • Practical tools and techniques to reconnect to our inner light • Cultivate a true sense of meaning and fulfilment Speaker: Charlie Hogg Based in Sydney, Charlie is the National Coordinator (Chief Executive) of the Brahma Kumaris in Australia, and the Chairman of its Board of Directors. He is also an active member of the International Coordinating Group, responsible for major international projects and the administrative direction of the organisation’s global network of centres. As a senior teacher of the Brahma Kumaris for over 40 years, Charlie travels extensively and has visited more than 80 countries as a speaker at international conferences and public events. Based on his own regular practice, he has found meditation to be an extraordinary tool which helps to maintain mental and spiritual health in an increasingly challenging world.

Celebrating World Friendship Day True friends never apart, maybe in distance but never in heart Helen Keller With a friend, we can share our hopes and dreams as well as create a safe space where thoughts and feelings can be expressed without judgement . Friendship has unlimited potential to enhance our growth and provide us with support on our spiritual journey. Join two good friends, Ash Patel and Matthew Earl, to delve into what is the real spirit of friendship. Listen in on their heartfelt conversation to discover the profound impact of authentic friendships. In this talk, they will explore the essence of true companionship, share insights on building meaningful bonds, and celebrate the transformative influence even one genuine friend can have. Matthew, a graduate in Genetics, and former self-described "spiritual sceptic", discovered meditation on his personal growth journey. Its profound impact gave him a strong purpose to share the practical techniques that transformed his life. For over two decades, Matthew has guided students through courses, talks, workshops, and exhibitions, both in the UK and internationally. Currently based in London, working most recently as Head of Business Growth, his unique blend of experience allows him to connect with a diverse audience, effectively translating the power of Raja Yoga meditation into practical applications you can use every day. Ash was introduced to Raja Yoga meditation at an early age, and he gradually recognized the profound value of its teachings in all aspects of his life. Drawing inspiration from his own experiences and with an interest in inner healing, self-compassion and heartfulness, Ash facilitates engaging classes, workshops, and retreats. He is based in Worthing, where he actively contributes to his local community, while also sharing his wisdom and guidance with audiences around the world.